Encouraging update after Dawson Garcia's painful 'shot to the groin'

Minnesota's leading scorer might be able to play Thursday at No. 2 Purdue.

Dawson Garcia took a shot below the belt and the low blow was too much for him to return to the court during Minnesota's collapse in Iowa City on Sunday. He's now considered day-to-day ahead of the Gophers' Thursday game at No. 2 Purdue. 

"We'll see how he looks, feels and responds by gameday. We won't know until then," Johnson said Tuesday on his weekly radio show on KFXN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. 

Garcia erupted for 18 first-half points as the Gophers led by as many as 20 points against the Hawkeyes, but with just under 16 minutes remaining – and Minnesota leading by 18 points – Garcia took a shot to the groin that rendered him out of action the rest of the game. 

With Garcia watching from a padded folding chair on the sideline, Iowa outscored Minnesota 43-19 over the final 14:07 and won 90-85, stealing victory from the jaws of defeat. 

KSTP-TV's Darren Wolfson reported Tuesday that Garcia was in too much pain to return to the game Sunday. 

"He took a shot to the groin. I promise you, if Dawson could've gone back in, he would've. Heck, if you've ever been punched or kicked in the groin area you know how painful that is, especially in the moment. Right now he is day-to-day but there is optimism he'll be able to go on Thursday at Purdue," Wolfson said on SKOR North's Mackey & Judd. "He just couldn't go back in."

There's only one way the Gophers can shock No. 2 Purdue

Feb 11, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Dawson Garcia (3) goes to the basket as Iowa Hawkeyes guard Dasonte Bowen (5) defends during the first half at Carver-Hawkeye Arena / Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports